Metering system



May 4, 1943. w. c. BENNETT ETAL METERING SYSTEM Filed April 28, 1942 3Sheets-Sheet 1 73 INVENTORS A TTORNE Y.

1943- w. c. BENNETT EIAL 2,318,280

METERING SYSTEM Filed April 28, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORSATTORNEY.

May 4, 1943.

'w. c. BENNETT arm. METERING SYSTEM Filed A ril 28, 1942 3 Sheets-Shut SATTORNEY.

, Patented May 4, 1943 METERING SYSTEM William C. Bennett, West Chester,and William Melas, Philadelphia, Pa., assignors to Cochrane Corporation,Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 28,1942, Serial No. 440,776

Claims.

Our invention relates to metering systems and particularly concernsapparatus for indicating and/or recording conditions determining ordetermined by the operation of steam generators, furnaces and the like.

In accordance with our invention, two members, each positioned inaccordance with the magnitudes of a condition, for example the rates offlow of a fluid, and either or both of which may be connected to, orserve as, a pointer or stylus for indicating or recording theiiow ofthat fluid, are mechanically coupled to an indicating or recordingelement for jointly positioning itin accordance with the concurrentmagnitudes of the conditions, more particularly the rates of flow of thetwo fluids, which term generically comprehends liquids, gases, vapor andcomminuted solids.

Our invention further resides in the features of combination andarrangement hereinafter described and claimed.

For an understanding of our invention and for illustration of severalforms thereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a system for indicating or recordingthe deviations from a predetermined ratio of the rates at which fuel andair are supplied to a furnace installation;

Fig. 2, in perspective, illustrates detailsof a coupling system shown inFig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 diagrammatically illustrate other installations to whichour invention is applicable;

Fig. 5 shows significant elements of a modification of Fig. 2;

Figs. 6 and 7 are perspective views of another modification of ourinvention;

Figs. 8 and 9 are explanatory figures referred to in description ofFigs. 6 and 7.

Referring to Fig. 1, the rate at which fuel is supplied, usually influid or gaseous phase, through pipe I to a furnace or steam generator2, or the like, is measured and recorded by flowmeter Fl which may be ofthe typ disclosed in United States Letters Patent 2,081,596 to Melas towhich reference is made for more complete description of the details ofconstruction. Briefly, there is produced across the restriction 3, suchas an orifice'plate, venturi, or equivalent, a differential pressure ofmagnitude dependent upon the rate of flow of fluid through pipe I anddeterminative of the difference in level of the columns of mercury inthe legs of the manometer tube 4.

Accordingly for different rates of supply of fuel, the float 5 of themanometer moves the magthe recorder mechanism as described in aforesaidMelas patent, whenever core 6 is moved to a new position.

The mechanism of recorder Fl concurrently with rebalancing adjustment ofthe measuring network moves the pointer or pen 9 with respect to scaleor chart ID to a position corresponding with the then existing rate offlow of fuel through pipe I.

In like manner, the mechanism of meter or recorder F2, under control ofthe telemetric transmitter Tl comprising orifice ll, manometer l2, floatl4, core or armature l5 and solenoids l 5, l1, positions the pointer orpen It with respect to scale or chart IS in accordance with the thenexisting rate of flow of fluid, for example air, through pipe 20.

That an unskilled or inexperienced operator, or an operator unfamiliarwith the performance characteristics of a particular installation, mayproperly regulate the combustion in procurement of economical eflicientoperation of the installation or that the operation of an automaticsystem for regulating the air and fuel Valves may be checked orsupervised, the members 9 and I8, whether or not either of them isactually used to indicate or record the rates of flow of fuel and air,are mechanically coupled to the indicating or recording element 2|associated with scale or chart 22 which may be calibrated in terms offuelair ratio, or more simply may be divided into two zones suitablylabelled Less air (or more fuel) and More air (or less fuel) oridentified by any other legends descriptive of the operatingrequirements.

A suitable linkage for coupling the members 9 and I8, positionedrespectivelyin accordance with the rates of flow of fuel and air, to theratioindicating pointer 2| may include, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2,a structure or frame 23 pivotally mounted at 24 to a stationary supportand carrying or connected to the pointer 2l. Upon frame 23 is pivotallymounted, at 25, a second structure or frame 26 to which is pivotallyconnected, at

netic core member 6 to correspondingly different points or axes 29 and30 substantially angularly displaced about pivot 25, the links 21, 28extending respectively to member i8, whose position corresponds' withthe rate of flow of air, and to member 9, whose position correspondswith the rate of flow of fuel.

Assuming, for example, that while the rate of supply of fuel remainsconstant, the rate of supply of air is increased the link 21 moves toright and because pivot 30 is then stationary moves frame 26 inclockwise direction about pivot 30; this motion is transmitted throughpivot 25 to frame 23 which therefore moves in clockwise direction aboutits' pivot 24 and so moves pointer 2| to position indicating need formore fuel or less air. If concurrently with the increase in rate ofsupply of air, the rate of supply of fuel is also increased, link 28moves to the left; if the extents of such movements of link 21, 28, bothof which cause clockwise movement of frame 26 about its axis 25, aresuch that there is no change in position of axis 25, the position ofthemain frame remains unchanged indicating that optimum ratio of fuel toair has been preserved; if, on the other hand, the rate of supply offuel increases but to extent insufficient to maintain the prior oroptimum ratio of air and fuel, the pointer 2| moves clockwise but toless extent than when pivot point 30 remains fixed; if the rate ofsupply of fuel increases to excessive extent, pivot 30 is moved by link28 to the left through a distance greater than pivot 29 is moved to theright by link 21 and consequently frame 25 moves in clockwise directionabout pivot 29 and effects movement of frame 23 and pointer 2| incounterclockwise direction about pivot 24 to position indicating excessfuel or need for more air.

For any rate of flow of fuel or of flow of air within the range ofmeters FI and F2, the pointer 2|, unlike either of pointers 9 and I8connected thereto, may be in any of its positions with respect to itsassociated scale. In other words. pointer 2| is positioned in dependenceupon the concurrent relative position of pointers 9 and I8 andindependently of the sole position of either of pointers 9 and I8 (orequivalent member positioned respectively in accordance with concurrentmagnitudes of the rates of flow of air and fuel).

In installations having such operating characteristics that the optimumratio of air to fuel is not constant but varies as a function of the'fuel and/or air demand, compensation may be introduced to ensure thepointer 2| throughout the range of variation of fuel andair neverthelessalways indicates by its relation to scale 22 whether the ratio isoptimum or to what extent the fuel or air should be increased ordecreased. Preferably, by test made for a particular installation, it isdetermined what should be the ratios of fuel to air to obtain thedesired economy and efficiency at different loads throughout theoperating range of the furnace. A deformable cam is then set so thatpointer 2| remains in position indicating optimum ratio of air and fuelas members 9 and I8 are concurrently moved to the various positionswhich by aforesaid test were determined to afford desired operatingconditions for different systems demands.

In the particular arrangement shown in Fig. 3, the deformable cam 65comprises the envelope or outline defined by the members 66 individuallyadjustable to determine the angular position of arm 62 at which eachmember 66 in turn engages or disengages the strap 63, or equivalentflexible member attached to or supporting the weight 62 or equivalentbiasing means.

Upon the assumption the amount of air required to'produce a given numberof heat units by substantially complete combustion of any given kind offuel for example, coal, oil, or natural gas, is substantially constantdespite variations in quality of that fuel, it is desirable in theoperation of steam generators to indicate or record the relation of therates of flow of air and steam that the operator may properly regulatethe supply of fuel and air to maintain the optimum conditions ofcombustion. To that end in the steam-generator system of Fig. 3, thetransmitter Tl, as in Fig. 1, may be utilized to transmit variations inrate of flow of combustion air to flow-meter F2, and transmitter T, Fig.3, may be utilized to transmit variations in rate of flow of steam toanother suitably calibrated flow-meter F-l. The members 9 and I8 of thetwo flow meters are, as shown in Fig. 2 and previously described,coupled to an indicating element 2| by a mechanical linkage 24-30 whichprovides that element 2| shall indicate the deviations from optimum orpredetermined ratio of the two rates of flow respectively determiningthe positions of members 9 and I8.

The same telemetric receiver arrangement of fiowmeters FI and F2 coupledto indicator 2| may be utilized, Fig. 4, to indicate the departures frompredetermined ratio to each other of the rates of flow of two fluidfuels, for example, natural gas and producer gas, separately or inmixture fed to the combustion chamber of a furnace, steam-generator, orthe like. The transmitter Tl responsive to the variations in the rate offlow through pipe 32 of one of the fluids controls the meter F2, orequivalent, and transmitter T responsive to the variations in the rateof flow through pipe 33 of the other of the fluids controls meter Flwhich jointly with meter F2, as described in connection with Figs. 1 and2,

controls the pointer or equivalent element 2| to indicate the variationsfrom predetermined proportions to each other of the fluids comprisingthe fuel mixture in pipe 34.

In all of the systems of Figs. 1 to 4, the element 2| may be providedwith or comprise a marking element such as stylus or pen and the chart22 may be comprised on a disk or sheet movable with respect to element2| for the recording of its excursions from optimum or desired position.

In the modification shown in Fig. 5, for recording of the rates of flowof one fluid, for example 4 steam from the generator 35, Fig. 3, and ofthe variations from predetermined ratio of the rates of flow of thatfluid and of another fluid, for example, total combustion air, Fig. 3,there may be used a mechanical linkage similar to that shown in Fig. 2or preferably the alternative arrangement shown in Fig. 5 now described.

for example to changes in rate of flow of steam,

Fig. 2.

Upon the arm 2 IA is pivotally mounted at 25A, the gear, gear segment26A, or equivalent, en-

gaged at points 29A and 30A, suitably angularly displaced with respectto pivotal axis 25A, by the rack members 21A, 28A, or equivalentrespectively connected to arms 9A and la which by mechanisms of thecharacter hereinbefore discussed are positioned respectively inaccordance with the rates of fiow of air and steam, Fig. 2, or moregenerally, in accordance with the magnitudes of two conditions whosedesired ratio and deviations therefrom are to be indicated or recordedby member 2 IA.

To maintain the driving members 21A, 28A in engagement with gear 26A, orequivalent driven member, they may be connected by spring 31 orotherwise jointly or independently biased into continuous engagementwith'member 26A.

The description of the operation of the mechanical coupling of Fig. 2closely applies to Fig. 5 and need not be repeated. It suffices here tosay that so long as arms 9A and Mia retain their same relative position,the arm 21A, notwithstanding movements of racks 21A, 28A, remains.stationary; if either of racks 21A, 28A alone moves, or if they bothmove in either direction but to different extents, or if they both movein the same direction, the indicating or recording arm 2IA changes itsposition in accordance with the change in relative position of arms 9Aand l8a.

If, with the rotating chart arrangement of Fig. 5, optimum operatingconditions are maintained the record drawn by the marking element HA isor closely approximates a circle; if the recorder is of the strip charttype, the record drawn by marker 2 IA under such circumstance is astraight line parallel to the direction of feed of the chart. The recordtraced by pen lBa, or equivalent, is on the same time scale as the ratiorecord traced by pen 2| A so that it is possible, when the apparatus isused with the system of Fig. 2 for example, to determine when and underwhat load conditions, efficient combustion was or was not maintained.

By extending arm 9A to form a marking element or connecting it 'to amarking element, the variations in magnitude of both the rates of fiowof steam and air, or other two variables, may be recorded on the singlechart 36.

In the modification shown in Figs. 6-9, the pen or marker arms BB, IBBare co-axially pivoted at 31 for movement across the front face ofrecorder chart 38 rotated by electric motor or equivalent constant speeddevice. The upper ends of the arms 93, I83 are U-shaped to straddle thefront plate or frame member 4| between which and a second plate or framemember 42 is disposed mechanism of fiow meter F2 which positions the armI8B in accordance with the rate of flow of steam, for example. To therear of frame member 42 is disposed the flow-meter mechanism Fl whicheffects positioning of the recording member 93 in accordance with therate of flow of air, for example. As previously herein' stated thesemechanisms may be of the type shown in U. S. Letters Patent 2,051,596.

In Fig. 6, the door of the housing H is open and the supporting frameupon which is mounted the various components of the apparatus is swungoutwardly to expose significant parts of them.

Upon the rear face of plate 4| is pivotally supported at 243 the frame233 corresponding generally with frame 23 of Fig. 2. Upon frame 233 ispivotally mounted the structure 263 to which is connected, at points29B, 30B angularly displaced in respect to its pivot 253, the links 21B,28B extending respectively from the recorder arms 93 and I8B on oppositesides of their common pivotal axis 31. Accordingly, as described inconnection with Fig. 2, the frame 238 is moved about its axis 243 inaccordance with change in relative position of the recorder arms 9B and18B; so long as the two recorder arms remain in fixed relative position,for example one above the other, there is no movement of frame 238 butupon any relative movement of the two recorder arms 98, I813, the frame233 is moved in a sense and to an extent corresponding with thatrelative movementcompare for example Figs. 8 and 9.

As more clearly shown in Fig. '7, the frame 233 is connected by arm 43(movable therewith about pivot 24B) and link 44 to the bell crank lever45 pivoted at 46 and having an extension 41 extending in front of theframe member 4| and there connected to the pointer ZIB whose upper end48 is visible through the door 60 of the apparatus. as it moves todifferent positions with respect to the suitably calibrated scale 49.

In this modification. as in all others, the frame 23B or equivalent mayeither directly or indirectly actuate the ratio indicating or recordingarm 2| or equivalent.

In identification of the actuating mechanism for the recorder pen 9B,the feeler members 50. 50, Fig. 6, engage a galvanometer pointerresponsive to unbalance of the network comprising inductances l6, l7(Figs. 1, 3, 4) and a pair of inductances 5|, 52 disposed within therecorder housing 6i, and, in accordance with the sense and extent of theunbalance, effect angular movement of gear 53 which through cam 54 andarm 55 effects rebalancing adjustment of the core member of solenoids5|, 52. The same movement of gear 53 is transmitted through gear 56 andgear segment 51 to the U-shaped yoke member 58 which embraces theextension 59 extending from the recorder arm 93.

By a similar mechanical relay system, a galvanometer responsive tounbalance of the network including inductances I and 8 effectsconcurrently with rebalancing adjustments of other impedances of thenetwork corresponding changes in position of the recorder pen I8B.

Other equivalent arrangements may be utilized to position the recorderpens 9B and MB in accordance respectively with the magnitudes of tworates of flow, or other variable conditions, and irrespective of theparticular construction of such actuating mechanisms, the coupling fromthe arms 9B and HE to the indicator ZIB provides that the position ofindicator ZIB shall depend upon or be representative of a predeterminedratio and departures therefrom of the concurrent magnitudes of the tworates of flow, or other conditions.

What we claim is:

1. A system for supervision of combustion comprising a member movable inresponse to changes in magnitude of the rate of supply of one of thecomponents of a combustible mixture, a mem ber movable in response tochanges in magnitude of the rate of flow of a fluid determinative,jointly with aforesaid rate of supply of a component of a combustiblemixture, of the efllciency of combustion of said mixture, an element,means for controlling said element by said members for movement of saidelement to positions each determined by the relative positions of saidmembers, and means providing that a single position of said elementcorresponds with optimum combustion at different required ratescomprising deformable cam structure movable with one of said members,and biasing means co-operating with said deformable cam to provide thatfor successive equal changes of rate of supply of one of saidcomponents, the corresponding responsive member is moved topredetermined unequal extents.

2. A system for supervision of combustion comprising a member positionedin accordance with the rate of supply of fuel, a member positioned inaccordance with the rate of supply of air for combustion of said fuel,an element means controlled by said members for moving said element topositions corresponding with the relation of concurrent magnitudes ofsaid rates of supply of fuel and air, and means comprising -deformablecam structure and variable biasing means associated therewith providingthat the relative positions of said members for which the position ofsaid element corresponds with optimum combustion vary in accordance withdeparture from constancy of the optimum ratio between fuel and air fordifierent rates.

3. A system for supervision of combustion in a steam generator requiringdifferent ratios of fuel to air for optimum combustion throughout therange of generator load, a member positioned in accordance with the rateof flow of air to' the combustion chamber of said generator, a memberpositioned in accordance with the rate of flow of steam from saidgenerator, an element, means coupled to said members for moving saidelement in response to unequal movements of said members, and meanscomprising deformable cam structure movable with one of said members andvariable biasing means associated therewith for providing thatthroughout the range of movement of said member displacement of saidelement from predetermined position corresponds with departure fromoptimum combusand means providing that a preselected position of saidelement shall correspond with the optimum ratios of said ratesthroughout ranges of variation thereof comprising a deformable cam foreffecting unequal extents of movement of one of said members forsuccessive equal changes of one of said rates of supply.

5. Apparatus for indicating or recording the deviations from optimum ofthe ratios of the magnitudes of two conditions comprising membersmovable respectively in response to changes in magnitude of saidconditions, an element, structure coupling said element to said membersfor movement of said element to Positions determined by the relativepositions of said members, and means providing that a preselectedposition of said element shall correspond with different optimum ratiosof the magnitudes of said conditions throughout ranges of variationthereof comprising a deformable cam and a biasing member to variableextent engaged thereby for effecting unequal extents of movement of oneof said members for successive equal changes in magintude of one of saidconditions.

WILLIAM C. BENNETT. WILLIAM MELAS.

